Molding press



Dec. l0, 1946.

- H. SNOW MOLDING PRESS Filed Nov. 21, 1942 IIsmaentor: Howard'nalf 81; g: l I I (Ittorneg,

Patented Dec. 10, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT "OFFICE 2,412,299 MOLDING PnEss Howard Snow, Charlotte, N. C., vassigner to y(Southern Friction Materials Company, a corpo'- ration of North Carolina` applicati@ November 21, 194g, serial Np. 466,501

7 Claims.

This invention relates tothe manufacture of fibrous composition products. It has to do more particularly with brake linings, but the manufactured material maybe .used lfor various other purposes, e. g., clutch facings, gasket sheeting, shim and washer stock, etc. Such products are usually .made from a mixture of a brous ller or base constituent, such as asbestos and the like, with an organic binder, and the fibrous material being interfelted with the binding ingredient distributed therethrough and compressed therewith in the course of manufacture.

lThe Vpresent invention resides .in a rotarypress designed to improve .the quality andat the same time increase the speedyet minimize the cost of manufacture of the above Vmentinied products.

A feature of .this yinvention is Van arrangement of small internal rolls that provide a markedly low fangle of compression and apply a continuousgradually increasing, pressure of greaty magnitude on the material, Without' disturbing the lay of the fibers whereby to .attain an idealinterfelting of the same inthe product. l

Another feature is a means Vfor varying lthe thickness of the compressed product. Provision is also made for varying lthe width of the product.

`Still another feature is the adaptability of the press in a controll of -feed ofthe constituent material thereto inV a rway to vary .the density of the product.

Without limitation thereto, the .press `of the present invention is yprimarily intended ,and adapted for vthe following particular uses:

1. compressing fibrous masses, into a strip or sheet.

2. Preforming, either cold or hot, fibrous masses into strips or sheets for -subsequent calendering or pressing. v

3. Calendering previously formed masses.

A practical adaptation ofthe invention is set forth in the following detailed description in connection with the construction and arrangement of a rotary press as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a View infront elevation withportions broken away rand in Lsectionto show certain .interior features;

Fig. .2 is a section taken., onor about the line 2--,2,of Fig. 1; t

:,Fig. ,3 isa front face view of the `hub member detached from the press; y

Eis. 4 v.is va .fragmentary .View ,of `c,ormeratim; portions of. the outer .ring .member and the rotor i'nthe' Aregion A.where .the .initial andjiinal Yc0111- 42. pressiontakes place on the material of which .the product is made; and, Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view illus,- trating a provision for varying the width of the product strip. Referring now to the drawing in detail, the numeral I0 vdesignates an upright supporting frame, comprising the vertical side membe'is;l'.fl, top cross member I2, bottom cross member {lf3} with integral base footing Ili, and an intere' mediate cross member I5. This frame maybe either an integral casting or a built-up structure, as preferred.

The base footing I4 may-be made heavy enough to keep the frame I 0 from toppling over under the weight ofthe laterally offset parts of press carried thereon as presentlydescribed, said footing I4 may be fastened to a door or other solidbase by bolts or lag screwsfIdA Vas indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. So, too, the `press structure now to be rdescribed may be mounted on any other-stable support in lieu of the v.said frame 1.0.

Y{I'he illustrated press r`structure comprises a hub memberl, the main body portion 'of which is cylindrical. The hub .member Iii is provided et the Vrear thereof with er1 annular eneeh collar Il. The part `II is apertured inannular series as at rI8 (see Fig. 3). These `apertures are `for the reception of bolts `I9 that'are 1n-v Sverbed in .registered apertures .Pivovdd .-1.11 the opposed portions of the frame IIJ. Thebolts'flS thus located are `ffifsflellefJOY,321.111.nuts .20 lfee Figsland 2). A

The cylindrical body portionof the hub mergber I6 is provided ywith a plurality Of bores ,2L of the .Seme number leed angular Posirirl 5S the holes wir 'the portion =-I1 (Seeheim: In mee these bores,esubero-21min@ #sin of a headed axle pin, is inserted from the reary of the hub member 4(seeFig'. 254. Mounted freer ly rotatable on this stub shaft .22 4is, aprotolQZB in the form of a flat, `-circular, disk having :a: prem, cynndn'cai, 4ci,rcmrnferenta1 face;

As shown in Fig. 2, the rotor 23 directly abuts the ,flat outer face ofthe hub member'lland it is held in place on .thestub Vshaft 2,2by x jam nuts 24 applied on the reduced, screw-threaded, protruding end portion` of the shaft, with l.was'hers 25, 26, interposed between the nuts and thelad.- jacent outerface portion of thetrotor.

`In the illustrative structure, the bore .of the rotor 23 its fitted ,rather` tightly but freely 'roL- tatable. `on the stub' shaft 22; but,` advantageously,

:vention-isyR. P. with a rotor 3a suitable anti-friction bearing (not shown) may be provided.

Inasmuch as the axis of the thus mounted rotor i23 is located radially away from the center of `the hub member I6, it rotates eccentricaily with respect to the hub member and also to an outer ring member 21 rotatable concentricallyV .on the `same hub member, Vaswill now bedescribed' The ring member 21 has a hub portion 28 provided with a smooth cylindrical bore that is `fitted rotatably on the cylindrical body portion `of the hub member I6 as at 29 (see Fig. 2).

Env

with the stub shaft 22 and the rotor 23, the fitting of the ring member vhub portion 28 fto rotate on the` hub member I6 maybe either solely by'accurate surfacing ofthe fitted parts or Vby the obvious provision of an antiirictionv lygr'eater than the thickness of the rotor so that the kopposed cooperative `face portions of the otor and side wall faces of the channel are close to eachV other and they function as a continuous positive mold. The width of the channel determines the width of the product.

y, Ana'nnular series of gear teeth 3| are either formed'udirectly or otherwise provided on the circumierenceA of the ring member 21. These teeth mesh with the teethof'a driving pinion 32 which is secured on a power shaft 33. Thisl shaft, as shown', is journalled in a bearingportionifl4 ofthe bottom cross member I3 of the ,frameV Illand an outer bearing 34A on an extension of the footing I4.- The shaft is providedV at itsinner end with a worm wheel 35. The wormjwheel 35'is driven by a worm-screw Y38 fixedori the varmature"shaft 31j ofv an electric motor 38 thatfis mountedon the footing I4. Other conventional'meansv for rotating the ring'r member 21 at a comparatively slow speed may `besubstituted for that shown; AnV ideal speed'of ifing rotation for the purposes ofthe present inb b diameter -of approximately three feet. y In the operation of the press the outer` ringV member 21 is rotated under power-as above de-- scribed. AThe rotorY 23A is rotated in the `same direction and at theY same peripherall speed by the interposition "of the yconstituenty material ofy f which theproduct is made. the rotation'of the rin g member 21 and rotor 23 is clockwise,

whenjviewing the press from the front asV in IFig. "1, vthe `constituent material, designated by the 'numeral 3,9, is fed into the upper space 40 atA the'right, betweenjthel rotor and ring member, Ywhence.itjffalls into thebdownwardly taperingspa/ce1 below.,d f Y The extent of compression and resultant; den-j sityfoj the product is governed by theproportion`` ate'fquanti'tyof the constituent materialffedinto thefspace between the rotor 23 and'outer ring member 21. Under usual operatingconditions,

45'fromthe'axis'of therotor' 23:" Variations Vfrom this angle, up and down, vary the densityV Y of the product, as described.

The minimum compression space, yet maximum pressure attained, is directly vertical below the axis of the rotor23, as designated at 4I (see Fig. 4). This governs the thickness of the productyldesignated at II2., The. spaceAI may beV varied as will be later described. f

The ring member 21 being in motion and rotating clockwise as above stated, and also by the wedging effect of the interposed material 39 in the tapered space between the rotor 23 and ring member 21, the rotor is thereby Vcaused to rotate 'also'in the clockwise direction. As the 'ring member and rotor Ythus rotate, the interposed material isvcarried with said elements, so

that a comparatively slow yet continuous flow of the material is caused, with a correspondingly` slow and gradually increasing pressure without eddy currents or back flow. VThis is advantageously effective in gradually compacting the material from its original loose bulk, as fed into the press, to its'ultimately compressed product thickness, without lamination Ybut with an ideal interfelting of the material. I

' By the relative diameters of the Vring channel bottom and the perimeter of the rotor the speed of travel of said portions is substantially the same. Hence, the material is carried therebetween with varying radial pressure but uniform longitudinal travel of the mass. This continues fromrthe time of its loose bulk condition as the material initially enters the upper compression space between the rotor and outer ring memberuntil it emerges from betweenV the 'narrowesth f space of nal compression 4I asa finished prod-v uct. Thus, there isV no excess lengthwise displacement by pull or push of the material ad'-v jacent either the rotor or outer Vring channel.`r

Hence, Ythe original liber distributionin the mass' remains undisturbed except as,l to compressionl radially with respect to thaa'xis ofthe rotor23, Y

and this is gradual. The result of this so controlled action is that lamination or V4separate layer formation in the iinished'product is avoided. Therefore, in theresultant product there is Y" an ideal interlocking and felting of the fibers in the product as well as a thorough compacting of thecommingled binding ingredient therewith.`

The loose bulk material 39 may vbe Yfed con-A tinuously into the press through a suitableY standard` vibrating` hopper lfeederof the choke*feeder` type @s indicated. CQQl/entmany lat 43 (Se-Egf l 1 andj2) ,Y capable ofmaintainingaY definitejle'ifvfel1 of the loose material in the receiving space.; iBy adjustment of ,suchV afdevice the Ylevel Yof the' material fed into thepress may'beraisedtoin;V

crease or lowered to decrease'density ofthe prodev uct. So, too, the flowuintcA the, press maygbey further regulated by anyfconventional means @(not shown) but preferably a suitable mixing-device that Vmakes the mass Yof'mixed constituent,Qin-f gradientsY loose and uffy, from4 whichv device'the q iiulfed material is supplied to thev s .fcresaidfeed#VV the, loose material 'will be'supplied in anlamountJ Y ij ust ,sufficient toy ll the ,lower taperedfspacelup toi'a `ylevelgtnat is approxinnatelyT iat, an angle; 'ofi er 43. The proportionate supply oflthe'mailrial@ will be governedaccording to A the speedofrta,` .e tion-ofthe Vouter ring member 21-and tlievrcto/r` Y. :23. Y y 'r 12;@

' AnyY suitable meansV for stripping and remove; g

ingthe product may be provided forfthepurpose.

As shown (see Figs. r1 and ,2) thestrippci'.cQIIl-Y` prises a blade 44, which may,bemQreorlcSsresil-j ient, and eurved'so thatitssharpened end dien-fg. n gages `.the. bottom` of rthe?rllg'lcharilll.I f

thereby shaves vther adhering product from fthes p Vlfaite-l tettoia. curvature-pitite natie it ,is alfsdsucli that it cceperateS-'itith the innerend. 'pertidagae di adcwnwardly inclined `discharge chiite "41 so as te eend Y'and Vdeliver the precinct Without creating llnd'uestresses thereon er othervvis'e detracting from its tensile strength.

vAs shown, the stripper blade lill is mounted on rebent bracket 48, one "end portion 3 of Which is projected inte the larger open Space between the cuter ring niemeer '2i and the reter 23 and thile 'cantesl said blade. The apposite angular end p crticnjdn or the bracket es ispclted er other- `of ythe supporting fraln'e'lf, as at '5 l.

The inner eiid c'f the discharge 'chute '41, of

curseurs 'le'cated within the 4said fupper 'space cf the press te cooperate' itiththe 'stripper blad-e 44 -s'o as to receivthe product as it is ushaved"and lifted 'from the 'channel et. The Ychiite '4i is turned out of thespace in 'the press so as to"de liverrthe' detached product int sortie suitable rece'iving receptacle, reel 'or utility (not shown) l Afs before stated, the lninim'um compression space and maximum 'pressure is attained directly "E2 is to be made.

After 'thechaiig'e iii location of the ainepiii' ci stu-tenait artificialmente zu are remcvedfrem tacl'led from the Supporting Lframe H2 and'lotal'ted tofbr'i'ng the replaced axle pin o'r Ys'tub shaft `22 vertically below the Va'Xs of ythe hlb vnfl'elfiiber.

" I'hus Set, th'e'hub member 'is again attached to the'frame lli.4 y l In the manufacture 'cf plastic iiielded lining "s'tocli and the like, six adjustments'for thickness will usually 'sufce Hncefsu'chprovision is'niad'e in the press illustrated, yi.`e.,'siXofY the 'bo`re's'2'l are provided in the hub member I6 at different distances radially vfrom the center of the hub and in a hexagonal arrangement. Accordingly, a hexagonal arrangement of holes I8 is provided in the annular flange or collar portion Il of the hub member I6 and a like arrangement of holes in the supporting frame i for the reception of the securing bolts I9. By the foregoing provision, the adjustment of the hub member I6, conformably to the desired adjustment of the axle pin or stub shaft 22, is easily and accurately effected. If a greater range of adjustments is desirable for further variation in thickness of product, a corresponding increase in the number of bores 2| may be provided in the hub member I 6 and a proportionate balanced number and arrangement of the bolt holes I8 in the hub flange or collar I1 and also as to the holes in the supporting frame I0.

Any suitable provision may be made for producing product strips 42 of different Widths. As an example thereof (see Fig. the outer Wall of the channel may comprise a laterally adjustable ring 52 inserted in the outer ring member 21 and fastened in place by bolts 53. The bolts are secured in alternate ones of an annular series of staggered holes 54 in the ring 52 that are registrable with a straight annular series of yvv'ar'd 'and "outward finies' in tlie'autei fing" memtein.' this fthering 52 may be unfastened'anfd rotatedwithin 'the' outer ring kmember vv2l and moved laterally inward or outward until the proper-bolt-holesgare Abrought into registration Vfor ythe 'reception "of the bolts 513, so as to again fasten the ringf52n in place for a different Width ofthe fchannelfBD. With this provision :for adjustment ofthe-ring 52 to vary the Width of the 'channeljil a number of interchangeable rotors '23 of correspondingly different thicknesses are, oi course, provided.'

`Instead `of using the ring 52 'andbclts'53,"any

"other, conventional' provision suitable for adj usting the'outer-side'vvall of the 'ring channel jin'- may be incorporated inthe ring structure. j

If `a wirernesh or other vfabricbackingis desired fora brake lining 'or pth'erpro'duc't or "the press, astrip `of the backing 'material' may bffed into the press with the hereinbefore described y constituent material, either vbetween tliefsaidirn'a- Within the ,scopeo'fl the appended claims. 'Ifhe Y invention, therefore, is notlimited to the lconstruction and arrangementshovrn. i

The press of the present inventionisfnotonly adapted 'for the compressing and preform'ing of strips 'or sheets from the constituentloofse bul-k material, `ashereinbefore described, but it .is;,ius't Vas advantageously usable for re-pressing land calendering preformed strips or sheets.

This vis conveniently accomplished by feeding the strips or `'sheets edgewise finto the'tapered space between they-inner rotor-23 andouter ring member 2l, either by hand :of the `operatororfby some suitable mechanical feeder means. ,-Bylthe provision and arrangement of the internal rotor and outer ring element of relatively small diameter in the press of the present invention highly satisfactory calendering is attained equivalent to or better than that accomplished on machines having many times larger diameter, external rolls.

What is claimed is:

1. A press of the character described, comprising a hub member supportedly secured for rotative adjustment about a horizontal axis, said member having a plurality of parallel horizontal bores the axes of which are at diierent radial distances from the axis of said member, a stub shaft removably mountable in any one of said bores, a rotor detachably mountable rotatably on said stub shaft in abutting relation to the end face of said hub member, the circumferential face of said rotor being cylindrical, and an outer ring member revolvably mounted concentrically on said hub member and having an internal annular channel of rectangular cross section surrounding said rotor and in which the peripheral portion of the rotor travels in its rotation and is circumferentially spaced from the channel bottom.

2. In a press of the character described, a rigidly supported hub member, an outer ring member revolvably mounted concentrically on said Vhub member, said ring member having an internal annular channel,`V a rotor adjustably mount- .edon said hub member to rotate eccentrically:

with respect to said ring member, said rotor being of lesser diameter than said ring member chan-v nel and with its peripheral portion .traveling in its rotation within .the channel but spaced circumferentially from the channel bottom, and

means, for adjustingl the axial position of said rotor to vary sai-d space between it and the channel bottom.

3. In a press of .the character described, a rigidly supported hub member, an outer ring member krevolvably mounted concentrically on said hub member, said ring member having. an internal annular channel, a rotor mounted freely on said hub member for rotation eccentrically with respect 4to said ring memben said rotor being cylindrical and of lesser diameter than said ring mem' ber channel and with its peripheral portion traveling in its rotation within said channel but spaced circumferentially from the channel bot-Vv .tom power means for revolvingrsaid outer ring member, and means for feeding a proportionately measured quanttyrof moldable material continuously into the press in an upper space between Y the rotor and ring member channel whereby to enter lthe convergent space below.

`4. A press of .the character described, compris-i ing a revolvable outer ring member having an internal annular mold channel, a correlated rotor 'or lesser diameter rotatable within said ring member and eccentrically mounted with respect .to the axis of the latter, and a rigidly supported hub member, .the outer ring member and the correlated rotor each being separately mounted for rotation on said hub member, and the peripheral portion of said rotor traveling in its rotation with- Vin the ring member mold channel but spaced cir` cunferentially from .the channel bottom, and adjustable means for mounting the rotor so that the position of its axis of rotation may be varied and thereby vary thevcircumferential spacing of the rotor and .the bottom of the ring memberchannel.

5. A press of the character described, comprising a power-driven revolvable outer ring mem-` ber having an internalannular mold channel, a

correlated rotor of lesser diameter freely rotatable within said ring member andreccentrically' mounted with respect to the axis of the latter, and a rigidly supported hub member, the outer ring'lmember and the correlated rotor each being separately mounted for rotation on said hub member andthe peripheral portion of said rotor traveling in vits rotation within the ring member mold channel but spaced circumferentially from the channel bottom, and adjustable means for mount- Y mountings on said hub member, the axes of rota- Y Y tion of said surfaces being relatively eccentric whereby the restricted space between the surfaces is convergent to a desired minimum' dimension,

one vof said roller ,surfaces being power-drivenY and the other driven by friction of material com- I pressed between them, and means for radially adjusting one of said roller surfaces .to vary said restricted space., Y

7. A press of the character described, comprising a revolvable outer ring member havingA an internal `annular mold channel, a side wall of which is adjustable laterally for varying' the working width of the channel, .a correlated inter-V changeable rotor, of lesser diameter than the ring member channel, mounted rotatably'within said ring member and eccentrically with respect to the axis of the latter, and a rigidly supported vhubV member, the outer ring member and the'corre-f` lated rotor each being separately mounted for Vrotation on said hub member and the peripheral portion of said rotor `traveling in its v rotationy within the ring member moldv channel vbut spaced circumferentially from the channel bottom,fand` means for mounting the rotor so that the position of its axis of rotation may be xed at various positions and thereby vary and positively set'the circumferential spacing of the rotor from. the bottom of the ring member channel.

HOWARD SNOW. 

